Electric sign or illuminating device.



W. N. McOOMB. ELECTRIC SIGN OR ILLUMINATING DEVICE APPLICATION FILED0GT.5,1904.

PATENTED MAR. 1'7, 1908.

3 SHEETS-SHBBT l.

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W. N. McGOMB. ELECTRIC SIGN 0R ILLUMINATING DEVICE.

UNITED sT rEs PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM N. MCGOMB,

OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC SIGN OR ILLUMINATING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 17, 1908.

Application filed October 5, 1904. Serial No. 2:27,.209.

' whereby a unit block comprising a plurality ofgroups of sockets orreceptacles can be quickly and easily adjusted to form any letter,symbol, numeral, orother device or to produce any illuminatingeffectdesired. To this .end I rovide a plurality of adjustable socketspre er-ably arranged in groups and the groups preferably arranged inunit blocks. In the present construction, each unit block comprises aplurality of groups of sockets, adjustable in groups in one direction,say ver tically, andadjustable individually at right angles to the lineof adjustment of the group,

say in a horizontal direction.

This broad invention may of course be canbodied in anysuitab le form,though the specific construction shown in the accompany-- ing drawingscontains in itself valuable and novel features of construction.Preferably each unit block is in the form of a box adapted to receive aremovable and interchangeable face plate (constituting the object to beilluminated) and containing a framework for suitably and adjustablysupporting the sockets and forming, preferably, a conductor for thecurrent to the lamps.

In the esp'ecial construction shown herein, twovertical standards orcolumns areprovided, spaced a distance apart and supporting two crossbars forming socket supporting means for each group of sockets, on whichthe sockets are slidingly mounted. The two standards are connected tothe opposed poles of a source of supply of current while the two crossbars of each pair are in circuit with oposite standards, thoughsupported on both by. means of proper insulation devices. The

cross bars are further so arranged that-the opposed bars of adjacentpairs are of the same polarity. so that when two groups of sockets aremoved close together, the 'uxtaposition will cause no disturbance of t ec ir cults. In some cases, as when forming script letters, it maybenecessary or expedient to pause the letter or symbol or other device torupted illuminating effect.

overlap from one unit block to the adgacent J one. The parts are soarranged that properadjust-ment can be had for effecting this, so that aletter or symbol may extend over more than one unit block with anuninter- The socket used is especially constructed to meet therequirements of thegeneral features of the device, and is provided withtwo contacting members extending into the interior of the socket andprojecting outside the same so as to form a sliding contact bothmechanical and electrical with the cross bars.

Other novel features of construction and combinations of parts willappear as the specification proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings I have em-- bodied my invention in what I,at the resent moment, consider the most'desirable orm.

. In the-said drawings: Figure 1 shows a unit block or box with theinterior construction and arrangement of sockets exposed, embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 is a secti'onal view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig.

'3 shows a blank face plate with lamps in osition.. Fig. 4 shows a faceplate wit 1 the et ter E properly illuminated. Fig. 5 shows a' differentform of the same letter, showing how the same unit block can be adjustedto make a smaller letter. Fig. 6 shows still a smaller form of theletter E. Figs. 7 and 8 are detail views of the individual sockets. Fig.9 shows a sectional view of the insulating spool for supportiw the crossbars. Fig. 10 shows particularly liow script letters can be formed, andin general how annninterrupted illuminating effect of a' letter etc.extending over more than one unit block can be obtained. Fig. '11 showshow a picture or advertisement canbe illuminated. Figs. 12

and 13 show how a crescent and a star can be tending between the saidvertical standards are a plurality of cross bars 5 and Garranged in pansand suitably supported on the said vertical standards by means of theinsulating 1' spools "7. These porcelam spools 7 are formedwith twocircumferential grooves 8 around {so as to correspond with each other toobtain a, unitary oruninterrupted illuminating In this way-it will beunderstood which extend split brass rings 9. At-the point where thetwo'ends of the brass ring meetpthe .are provided with transverse holes10, ough which extend the hooked ends of the cross bars and 6, beingsecured 'in position by suitable means as thepins 11- or .otherwiselBoth thecross bars and split ring are made of material forminganelectric conductor. The two cross bars of each pair are in circuit withthe opposed standards, one crossbar being electrically connected to onestandard and the other cross bar to the other standard by means of ametallic spring 7 12 or otherwise. .The polarity of opposite cross barsof the adj-acentpairs is alike so that when the groups are moved closetogether x p sition willcreate no electrical disturbance.

The cross bars form socket su porting I means andare provided withhorizontally displosed slots 13 and the sockets are provided wit twocontacting members 14 and 15, ex tending into the interior of thesockets. as at 1'6 and .17 and projecting outside the same into the slot13 asat 18'and 19 so asto enable the current to pass through-the lamps'at any point to whichthey may be adjusted." At

'eachend the slots 13 are enlarged as at 20 so that the sockets can beremoved. Asuitable face plate 21 is inserted in front of the box 1,

as shown at 21.with the proper device to be' I illuminated, and with theproper number of Q formed by means of a different face plate and holesto admit of the lamps 22 being inserted;

a In Fig. ,3 I have shown a blank face plate with all the-lamps-inposition. InFig. 4 a

face plate containing the letter E is shown with the proper number ofholes to admit 'of the lamps being placed in position. In Figs. 5 and 6a smaller sized letter is shown er adjustment of the lamps. I beunderstood that the sockets which it is not desired to useare simplyleft without lamps, and the remainder properly adjusted in'this instanceverticall in groups the pro It and individually in a horizontadirection.

The insulating spools are held in the position i to which they have beenadjusted by friction, or other means may be employed for this purpose ifdesired.

' Sometimes it may be desirable to have one J more than one block, insuch a manner as to produce an uninterrupted illuminating effect. Fig.10- I- have shown how this may beaccorriplished. A number of unit blocksare placed together andthe face plates of the same are so decorated ordesigned as to'have the. letter or other symbol extend.

or catch lines.

From the-foregoing it will be easily under- 'ssaois in the adjacent unitblocks are then arranged 'overjmore than one. unit block.. I The socketsf thatany style of letteror character can be formed, or,mo re properly,illluminated, in-

including the Egyptian, Roman, full block, ornamental, and script type,as well as single number desired ,of'plain or special trade-mark,posters, or any reading "matter stood that by simply changing the faceplate and adjusting the sockets, a newsign or advertisement can beformedby means. of the same unit.

What I 'claim is:

upper and lower caseletters in any type, any

1. In an electric illuminating-device, the

combination with a plurality of sockets, of means for adjusting the samein groups in one direction and means for adjusting them individually ina directionat right angles to the group adjustment.

' 2.,In an e ectric 'illuminating device, the

combination with a'plurality of sockets, of

means for adjusting the same in groups in a- 1 vertical direction, andmeans for. adjusting them individually in a horizontal direction.-

3. Inan electric illuminating device, a

unit block composed of a plurality of sockets, means for adjusting thesame in groups in one direction, and means for adjusting themindividually in a direction at right angles to the group adjustment.

" 4. In an electric illuminating .device, a

unit blockcomposed of a plurality of sockets, I

means'for adjusting the same in groups ina verticaldirection, and meansfor adjusting them individually in a horizontal direction.

. 5.111 an electric illuminating device, the combination with twostandards spaced a distance apart and connected to opposite poles of asource 10fsupply of electricity,

cross bars connecting the said standards and adjustably mounted upon thesame *and are ranged in pairs, one'cross bar of each pair being'incircuit with one standard and the other cross bar being in circuit withthe other standard, and one or inoresockets adjustably mounted upon thecross bars having electrical connection with the same.

Signed at New York this 3rd day of October .1904.. I I

WILLIAM N. MoCOMB.

l Vitnesses:

" AXEL- VIZ-1mm,- Ramom) C. SPAUIDING.

